The Georgia Bulldogs have a lot of star players that the college football world knows, but by the end of the season here are four players that we project to have breakout seasons.
Drew Bobo
Georgia redshirt junior center Drew Bobo, who is the son of Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, returns and has 20 career appearances for the Bulldogs including two starts last season. He is projected to start at center.
Bobo will be such an important part of the offense because the center position for Georgia has been the core piece of the offensive line. Georgia has had some great centers over the years from the David Andrews to Sedrick Van Pran, to Jared Wilson. Bobo has chance to join that list.
Bobo completed a nine-yard pass on a fake punt in the fourth quarter of Bulldogs SEC championship victory over Texas. We expect him to anchor an improved UGA offensive line this year.
In 2024, Georgia allowed 25 sacks (No. 57-tied in the nation), which was a considerable drop off after allowing just 13 sacks (No. 8-tied in the nation) in 2023. Last season, the offensive line had several injuries and many rotations between the linemen. This season, health and cohesiveness will be very important to this season’s success.
Xzavier McLeod
Oct 12, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Xzavier McLeod (94) deflects the pass of Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. (0) in the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium.
Defensive lineman Xzavier McLeod was a South Carolina transfer last year and he started off the season slow. As time went on, you saw his talent emerge on the field. Him and Warren Brinson were constantly in the backfield making Quinn Ewers uncomfortable in the SEC championship.
McLeod has a chance to be a big-time contributor as this group that has a lot of depth. Jordan Hall and Christen Miller are veterans of the defensive line group that will mix in the younger guys like freshmen Elijah Griffin and JJ Hanne.
Chris Cole
Linebacker Chris Cole was a key contributor starting off in the first matchup against Texas basically going toe-to-toe with now NFL tight end Gunner Helm to only one catch. After that game he has played meaningful snaps even after Smael Mondon returned from injury last year.
This year, Cole will be playing a heavier dosage of snaps so we will see his untapped potentia. He has the versatility to rush the quarterback and guard a team’s best tight end. If he can put it all together, then he will be on a lot NFL draft boards as a top 2027 draft linebacker prospect.
Jaden Reddell
College football fans know about Georgia tight end Oscar Delp and what he is capable of. Lawson Luckie has been a contributor to this team, but the question is who will fill that void Ben Yurosek left?
That answer is Jaden Reddell. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound redshirt sophomore tight end is built to be a physical imposer to opponents, but has the athleticism and hands to be a threat in the passing game.
He is probably faster than Delp and Luckie. Reddell is a player that national media does not know but by midseason there will be plays and performances that catches that fans will recognize.
Be the first to comment